Category Archives: Hunting

Hunting

PCB’s remain in Hoosic River, but it is in good health overall

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The Hoosic River Watershed Association’s (HOORWA) annual State of the River Conference which was held recently was quite interesting. There was a presentation addressing the current status of the river with regard to the PCB contamination levels. Williams College chemistry professors David Richardson and Jay Thoman and students from Williams College, MCLA and Bennington College reported on the results of their studies of PCB levels in crayfish taken from various sites in the river and feeder streams.
“Ground Zero”, the site near where the Sprague plant was located had levels from 8 to 15 ppm (parts per million). The EPA sets the maximum safe level as 2 ppm. This sounds bad until one considers that before remediation, the levels there were as high as 1,000 ppm. The research shows the PCB levels are not decreasing, but remain stable. The crayfish collected farther downstream appeared to fall within the safe level.

Although PCBs normally sink to the bottom of water and stick to tiny grains of dirt, some did move downstream, presumably with the sediment which got washed downstream. Crawfish eat organisms that live in the sediments which eat and break down the detritus. They are ideal for analysis because they live on the river bottom and don’t travel far. They contain high amounts of fat in their tails which store nutrients as well as contaminants, said Williams sophomore Austin Paul.
They would like to expand their studies to include critters higher up in the food chain, such as trout. They eat lots of crayfish and the concentration levels of PCB’s in their body fat should be higher. They need help in obtaining these sample fish and are calling out to local fishermen. (Now there’s an excuse for getting out of yard work ………must go fishing to help the scientific community….we have an obligation to help out.)

Incidentally, HOORWA is doing a lot of good things on the Hoosic River these days. Executive Director Stephen McMahon reported that thanks to a remediation settlement, they are one of the beneficiaries of funds which will allow them to fund river monitoring programs for the next two or three years. These funds are dedicated to maintaining the quality of the Hoosic River from Cheshire Reservoir through North Adams.

They have been working with the Green Mountain National Forest staff to take temperature readings of streams (some in Pownal, VT) that are tributaries to the north branch of the Hoosic River. They have had successful river clean-ups. They have been working with the Bennington Conservation district and the village of North Bennington VT to remove a dam/bridge which created a dangerous scouring pool. They have been working with the town of Bennington, VT trying to conserve a piece of land, where the South Stream and Jewett Fork come together to form the headwaters of the Walloomsac River. They have also had successful Riverfest events.
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In 2014 they plan to work on removing dams, especially those that are classified as significant threats, to increase fish passages. They plan to sustain the river monitoring program, and this data will determine whether there are certain streams in MA and VT that must be protected for fish habitat and to evaluate the aspects of rising temperatures due to climate change. *****

Conservation-minded citizens are invited to attend an event being offered to share information about resources for managing and protecting private land for wildlife. Staff from the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (DFW), Department of Conservation and Recreation Service Forestry, and Natural Resources Conservation Service will be available to discuss some options. Topics will include the New England Cottontail Initiative, the benefits of woodland management, options for protecting private land, programs that offer financial assistance and opportunities for private landowners or land managers to become engaged in conservation efforts. The habitat tour will take place rain or shine. The dates are as follows:
Wednesday, November 20, Sandisfield Arts Center, 5 Hammertown Road, Sandisfield, from 3:30 to 4:30 PM habitat management tour, from 5:00 to 6:00 presentation, and from 6:00 to 7:00 open house. Staff will be available for questions
Friday, November 22, Monterey United Church of Christ, Tyringham Rd. and Rt. 23, Monterey, from 5:00 to 6:00 PM presentation and from 6:00 to 7:00 open house – Staff available.
For more information, contact Marianne Piché, DFW Habitat Lands Biologist, at 508-389-6313 or email, marianne.piche@state.ma.us. *****
This year there were 5 participants in the Northern Berkshires paraplegic deer hunt, of which David Alderman of Petersburgh, NY got a button buck. There were 8 hunters in the Southern Berkshire hunt, of which Brigette Buzalsky of Lawrence, MA got a button buck on Thursday. ( I believe this was Brigette’s fifth buck bagged in paraplegic hunts). Sidney Eichstedt of Lee got a 130 lb buck also on Thursday. Elsewhere, 2 deer (one buck, one doe) were taken at the Quabbin site, and 1 doe was taken at the Devens site. *****

Paddy Sullivan, son of JoAnn and Shawn Sullivan of Lee and a 14 year old Freshman at Lee Middle School, is a member of the Lee Sportsmens’ Association and Holyoke Revolver Steel team. The team has won two recent Steel Challenge matches. The first match, held on October 5, was the Maine Scholastic Pistol Program Challenge held at Camp Hinds in Raymond, ME resulted in a gold medal in the Rimfire Senior division. The second match, held on November 2, was a Scholastic Steel Collegiate match, held at the Pioneer Sportsmen’s Club in Dunbarton, NH resulted in a first place win in the Center Fire Junior/Senior Division, and a first place win in the Rim Fire Junior/Senior division. Congratulations to Paddy who, according to his parents, was the top shooter in both matches. *****

Questions/comments: Berkwoodsandwaters@roadrunner.com. Phone/fax: (413)637-1818.

200,000 acres and counting

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200,000 acres and counting

Some 85 sportsmen, hikers, bird watchers and conservationists gathered last Tuesday in West Stockbridge on top of Maple Hill, in a field across the road from the Maple Hill Wildlife Management Area. We were there to celebrate the State’s landmark achievement of acquisition and protection of 200,000 acres of open space for the benefit of the public and, fisheries and wildlife and natural communities of our state. All of it is open to the public for passive recreation.

There were 5 major speakers and I will cover their comments in this and next week’s column.

Department of Fish & Game (DFG) Commissioner Mary Griffin thanked Governor Patrick and Energy and Environment Secretary Rick Sullivan for their conservation leadership and commitment to land protection. Over the last 7 years more than $64million has been invested and 40,000 acres of open space was conserved. During that period the DFG and Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (DFW) worked with 75 partners to preserve that land. Partners such as the Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC), various land trusts, private landowners, etc. Support from the legislature in the form of passage of environmental bond bills was crucial.

EEO Secretary Sullivan said that we are celebrating the hard work of land owners and land trusts in putting the lands into conservation. “We are preserving a quality of life”. Referring to Governor Patrick’s conserved 40,000 acres, he said the administration will have left the Commonwealth in a much stronger position in terms of quality of life preservation than they found it.

These acquisitions were part of the State’s economic development, for every $1 invested in land conservation, $4 in natural goods and services were returned to our economy. It is part of an economic development strategy, especially in Berkshire County. He said that recreation generates some $10 billion in consumer spending and return some $739,000 in state and local revenues and produce 90,000 jobs in the Commonwealth. But it is time to do more, he said, time to double down on those investments. In the recently initiated Landscape Partnership Program, they are looking to create partnerships with land trusts, state and citizens to put together large tracts of land of 500 acres or more.

Comments from Narain Schroeder, Director of Land Conservation with the BNRC, DFW Director Wayne MacCallum and F&W Board Chairman George (Gige) Darey of Lenox will be covered in next week’s column. *****.

Congratulations to the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club skeet shooters. For the eighth time out of
the last nine years they won the annual Tri-Club Skeet Championship, defeating Sheffield and Lee clubs. According to the Club newsletter, top shooters were: Tom Gansowski who hit 146 out of 150 clay targets, followed by Joe Ary and Gary Johnston with 143, Gregg Charbonneau and Darren Coffey with 139, Gary Harrington with 138 and Bob Cameron with 131. *****

If Vicki and Cliff White of Pittsfield have their way, the Berkshires will continue to produce expert skeet shooters. With help from other members of the Lee Sportsmen’s Association, they are heading up a youth skeet shooting group called the LSA Buckshots.

They are affiliated with SCTP (Scholastic Clay Target Program) which includes 23,000 athletes in 43 states. SCTP provides youth development through the shooting sports. Girls and boys 5th-12th grade can participate in skeet, trap, & sporting clays with supportive, trained coaches while learning lifelong skills, such as goal setting, leadership, teamwork, self confidence, and safe firearm handling.

They currently have 5 students who this year competed at the Mass ATA Shoot in Billerica, MA, the Northeast SCTP Championships in Walpole, MA, the GOAL Crushing Clays in North Leominster, MA and at the Fall Addieville Sporting Clays in Mapleville, RI. The Buckshots had 4 medal winners at the MA ATA event, and in Addieville they beat many college groups.

Vicki White is the Head Coach and she is assisted by three assistant coaches Doug Frank, Ken Pixley and Cliff White. They had to be certified as a coach in order to work with the athletes on the field. In order to become certified, they had to attend a two day course. They also accept adult volunteers to do other jobs and any adult volunteer or coach must pass a CORI check. If you are interested in joining, please contact Vicki at 442-8107 or lady45white@gmail.comThere are turkey shoots, ham shoots, etc, but have you ever heard of a turkey trial? That’s what they are having at the Berkshire Beagle Club next Sunday. It is a fundraiser being used to help a well known field trial judge who has run into some bad luck, health wise. Tom Chaney, a field trial judge, who has judged everywhere from Kentucky, Michigan, New England and Canada for over 17 years developed lung and brain cancer. He does not have health insurance because he recently changed jobs.

National Championships will run a raffle to help out, but such raffles do not typically make a lot of money. So they decided to hold a turkey trial. Instead of ribbons, the winning dog owners will win turkeys. Each beagle club in the Northeast will contribute something to the effort. Because their running grounds are so highly regarded, the Berkshire Beagle Club in Richmond was asked to provide the grounds for the trial. Other clubs will contribute in various ways, marshals, turkeys, food, etc.

What a wonderful way to acknowledge and help Chaney. As one local beagle owner said, with tongue in cheek, “I would rather win a turkey any day over a ribbon. They are better tasting.”
*****

The late black bear hunting season opens tomorrow and runs until November 23. Be sure to check the regulations to see DFW’s request for assistance in aging your bear

Archery deer, fall turkey hunting seasons open tomorrow

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Archery season opens tomorrow morning one half hour before sunrise (unless you hunt on a Wildlife Management Area which opens at sunrise) and it ends on November 30. Hunters are allowed to take two antlered deer and a doe if they have an antlerless permit. If they take all three during the archery season, they are done for the deer hunting season (including the shotgun and primitive arms seasons).

Also, the fall wild turkey hunting season opens tomorrow and runs until November 2. Be sure to check the regulations governing this sport.

New this fall, hunters and trappers have two options for checking in deer, turkey, bear, and most furbearers. As in the past, animals may be brought to a game check station, or they can use the online MassFishHunt system to report or check their game via computer. There are two exceptions to this process:
1. During the shotgun deer hunting season, all deer must be checked in at a deer check station in order for the DFW to collect biological data.
2. All bobcats and otters must be checked in at a furbearer check station because they are internationally regulated species.
Tagging and online reporting for bear, deer, and turkeys: are as follows:
Attach the paper tag from permit or license for bear, deer, or turkey to the carcass immediately upon harvesting the animal.
Log in to the MassFishHunt system to report them online within 48 hours of harvest. NOTE: Hunters must complete this checking/reporting process BEFORE processing game for consumption, or taxidermy.
After answering the online game checking questions, the system will assign a confirmation number for each individual animal reported. This number must be written on the tag attached to the carcass. The confirmation number written on the tag is the official seal issued by MassWildlife and takes the place of the traditional metal seals used at check stations.
The tag must remain attached to the animal until the game is skinned, butchered, or otherwise prepared for food purposes; or for mounting by a taxidermist.
Confirmation numbers are non-transferable to other animals and they cannot be used for any other game animals except the ones for which they were issued.
Deer hunters are reminded that during the shotgun season for deer, all deer must be checked in at a deer check station.
Hunters and trappers can report their furbearers (beaver, coyote, fisher, fox and mink) online also. Log in to the MassFishHunt system and follow the instructions on how to report the harvest of these animals.
Meat processors and taxidermists can only take into possession bear, beaver, coyote, deer, fisher, fox, mink, or wild turkey with either an official DFW metal or plastic seal affixed to the carcass or pelt or with a tag noting the assigned MassFishHunt confirmation number affixed to the carcass or furbearer pelt. It is illegal to accept any of the above game animals without a DFW official seal or confirmation number written on an attached tag. Bobcat and otters may not be accepted into possession unless tagged with an official plastic seal. *****
Flyfishing guide and author Marla Blair will be the guest speaker at the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited meeting this Thursday evening, at the Bass Water Grill on Rte 8 in Cheshire. She will be discussing “The Hatch and body language for trout and choosing a pattern”. She will also demonstrate the tying of her iconic Jailbird emerger fly during social hour. Marla achieved international fame when she wrote the popular fishing book Practical Fly Fishing. The event is free and open to the public. Social hour starts at 5 PM, Marla’s presentation starts at 6 PM and dinner off of the menu (if you so choose) to follow at 7 PM. For more information, contact Ron Wojcik at (413)684-4141 or rwojcik@bcn.net.
Staying with TU, congratulations go to the Mass/RI Council of TU for receiving national recognition in TU National’s quarterly publication of Trout. Magazine Members of the 13 Massachusetts and Rhode Island chapters received an appeal for help in replanting a portion of river bank at the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) Indian Hollow Campground. Located along the banks of the Westfield River in Chesterfield it was heavily damaged by Hurricane Sandy. Some 225 willow tubelings were secured and 85 volunteers from each chapter (including our local Taconic Chapter) planted them in about 2 hours. Their efforts have been praised by the ACOE and the Chesterfield Conservation Commission. Incidentally, Paul Knauth of Dalton is in his third term as Council Chairman. *****.
There will be a Multi-State Firearm License Course next Sunday at 1:00 PM at the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club. This course is unique in that it qualifies you to apply for licenses in Massachusetts, Utah, New Hampshire and Maine. A Utah concealed firearm permit issued to a non-resident is honored in 32 states. If you apply for all 4 licenses, you will be legal in 36 states. The fee for the entire 5-hour course is $150 or you can take just the Utah segment for $100 or just the Massachusetts segment for $80. The fee is due in cash at the course. There is no exam but bring a pad and pen to take notes. Seating is limited and preregistration is required. Call or e-mail and provide your full legal name plus date of birth to Robert J. McDermott at (413)232-7700 or robmcdermott@verizon.net.*****
In last week’s column I erroneously listed the end of the coyote hunting season as being March 28, 2014. The correct date is March 8, 2014. I knew that and don’t know why I wrote otherwise. Freudian slip, I guess, or wishful thinking.

Habitat restoration is slated for Maple Hill Wildlife Management Area

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Recently, DFW personnel conducted a habitat site walk on the new 190 acre section of the Maple Hill WMA in West Stockbridge. The Department of Fish and Game acquired it with the assistance of the Berkshire Natural Resources Council last year using $1,000,000 of Open Space Bond funds. It was added to the existing 202 acre Maple Hill WMA.
The DFW habitat management goal is to create a mosaic of grassland, shrubland and young forest habitats on approximately 150 acres of abandoned farmland to support declining native wildlife species. Some declining shrubland birds such as the Eastern towhee, Brown thrasher and American woodcock will benefit from the work.
The plan is as follows: Reclaim abandoned pastureland into high quality grassland and shrubland habitat by controlling invasive plants, tree clearing and mowing that favors wild apple trees and a diversity of native herbs and shrubs. Connect reclaimed abandoned fields by clearing tree hedgerows between them to expand site lines and increase habitat patch size for grassland and shrubland birds. Establish young aspen and mixed hardwood forest adjacent to shrubland areas to increase structural habitat diversity while retaining clusters of large crowned, mast producing trees such as black cherry, hickory and oak. The project should be completed in 2015.
It was undertaken through the DFW’s Biodiversity Initiative which was established in 1996. That was a landmark event because it was the first time that the state open space bond funds were made available for important habitat work.

According to John Scanlon, DFW Project Leader, the unique thing about this program is that it gets DFW foresters, biologists, restoration ecologists and district staff involved to identify high priority sites with the focus toward management of those species in the most trouble.

We stopped in three sections. The first was in an area where there was once agricultural land and orchards but are now covered with invasive shrubs and vines. The species associated with the former grasslands and orchards are struggling and are in long term decline. DFW plans to target invasive plants and reestablish native shrubland, remove some trees to bring in light, retain other trees good for habitat (bigger oaks, hickory, black cherry, abandoned orchards) and start production of fruit again such as raspberries. They will also encourage grasses to grow again.

The second was in an area of beautiful forests with magnificent maples, basswood, pignut hickory and birch trees. It was quite obvious that this section of forest was older than the abandoned farmlands where the invasives became an issue on our landscape. It had rich mature trees with full canopy and no invasives. Biologists have determined that this was a very special place, perhaps one of the best in the state both in size and actual integrity.

It was located in rich mesic (moist) soil; rich both in terms of mineral content of soil and species diversity. This area is influenced by its marble lime bedrock, making it PH neutral with a high mineral content conducive to thick, lush forest trees, and green carpets with super rich diversity of plants. The National Heritage and Endangered Species Program folks consider it to be a high priority area; a “gem” that doesn’t occur very often. This stretch of forest will be left alone with no tree clearing.

Our third stop was an oak knoll which was not as moist with less maple trees. Many of these trees will be removed to allow the sun to penetrate and help create a young aspen forest and native shrubland. Some of the largest trees, such as oak, cherry and hickory will be left to provide food for the animals. Any cut tree tops will be left for nutrients and they will be constructing brush piles from the trees which will make great habitat for the smaller mammals. In order to help pay for the restoration effort, some of the oaks there will be removed and the timber sold.

It was a very informative and enjoyable site walk and the goals and methods of the restoration effort were clearly explained. It was obvious that a great deal of consultation and research went into this plan. It was put together with the interests of the critters which dwell on this land taking top priority, as it should be. “Come back and revisit this place in 3 or 4 years”, said Scanlon, “and you will be amazed and impressed with what you see.” *****

Well, upland game hunting season is upon us once again. Next Saturday, the pheasant and grouse hunting seasons open and run until November 30. The daily bag limit for pheasants is 2, possession limit is 4 and season limit is 6. The grouse daily bag limit is 3, possession limit is 6 and season limit is 15. If you hunt a wildlife management area, you cannot hunt before sunrise or after sunset, and you must wear a “hunter orange” hat.

Also opening next Saturday are the cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare seasons and they run through February 28, 2014. The daily bag limit for cottontails is 5 and possession limit is 10. The daily bag limit for snowshoes is 2 and possession limit is 4. Cottontail hunters can help DFW study the distribution of them across the state by participating in the cottontail collection survey. You can bring the rabbit heads to a DFW district office. Include your contact information, date of harvestl, precise location of the animal and method of hunting, if applicable.

Also opening that day is the coyote hunting season and it runs through March 28, 2014, including during shotgun deer hunting season. There are complex regulations governing this sport and you are advised to check them.

No hunting is allowed on Sundays.

Get ready for good autumn angling

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Some 64,500 rainbow trout have been allocated among the five wildlife management districts across Massachusetts. The trout slated for stocking average a whopping 14 inches long and weigh one pound. “This is the best production of fall trout I have seen in my time with the Division,” said Dr. Ken Simmons, Chief of Hatcheries. “The hatchery staff should be proud of the fish they have produced.” The fish are grown at MassWildlife hatcheries in Belchertown, Montague, Sandwich, and Sunderland.

Trout stocking began the week of September 23 and is expected to be completed this week. A list of trout stocked waters is posted on the agency website (www.mass.gov/masswildlife). Water bodies stocked in the fall are underlined.. Western District waters normally stocked in the fall are as follows:

Ashfield Pond, Deerfield River, Littleville Lake, Westfield River (E. Branch), North Pond, Upper Highland Lake, Norwich Lake, Goose Pond, Laurel Lake, Lake Buel, Windsor Lake, Big Benton Lake, Otis Reservoir, Onota Lake, Pontoosuc Lake, Richmond Pond, Stockbridge Bowl and Windsor Pond.*****

Woodcock hunting season began last Wednesday and will run through October 26. It reopens on October 28 and runs through November 16. There are no regulation changes this year; still a 3 daily bag limit and a 9 possession limit. Because they are migratory birds, a Harvest Information Program (HIP) survey is required. You can take it either on line at www.mass.gov/massfishhunt or anywhere hunting licenses are sold. Non-toxic shot is not required while hunting woodcock and shotguns capable of holding more than 3 shells may not be used unless plugged.

Duck and Canada goose hunting seasons open Monday, October 14 and run through November 30. They shut down during the first week of shotgun deer hunting season and reopen on December 9. The goose hunting season ends on December 17 whereas the duck hunting season ends on December 28.

A state and federal waterfowl stamp is required. When purchasing a state stamp, hunters are automatically registered with HIP. Waterfowl hunters must also use the 3-shot gun and non toxic shot. You are allowed to bag 6 ducks a day (possession limit of 18), but the breakdown of types of ducks is complex and you must refer to the 2013 Migratory Bird Regulations for that and other important information. You are allowed to bag 3 goose a day (possession limit of 9).

If you heard shooting near our rivers and ponds yesterday morning, that could be because there was a youth waterfowl hunt. Youths aged 12 – 15 could duck hunt yesterday as long as they were accompanied by a licensed adult hunter with a valid Massachusetts waterfowl stamp (no federal stamp is required). One firearm only. Adults may not hunt and may carry firearm only when unloaded and cased. No license or stamp is needed for youths ages 12 – 14, but are needed for youths aged 15. There will be another youth waterfowl hunt day this Saturday.*****

As expected, I received some correspondents from local deer hunters about my article last week on deer predators. Some just flatly refuse to believe DFW’s claim that coyotes don’t take the fawns until they develop their scents. Somel claim to have seen the coyotes grab the fawns as soon as the does dropped them. (I am one of them.) Coyotes know when a doe is about to give birth and follow it. Still others questioned why no mention was made of the toll the coyotes take during the winter (especially on pregnant does). A few have sent me pictures of deer being killed right on their lawns during winter.

Incidentally, DFW biologist Laura Conlee gave a presentation to the Mass. Fish & Wildlife Board at its meeting in Dalton last week. Here is some interesting information based upon surveys: Of the nearly 9,000 hunters who responded to their questionnaire, 13% specifically targeted coyotes. Most coyote hunting is done during the daylight hours and not at night. Of the daylight hunters approximately 62% use rifles of a larger caliber than 22 long rifle. Of those who hunt at night only about 5% use night vision gadgets. It is illegal to project a beam while hunting coyotes at night. It is estimated that there are about 10,000 coyotes living in Massachusetts

Board Chairman George “Gige” Darey commented that surrounding states have year round hunting seasons on coyotes, but not Massachusetts. Here they are considered a valuable resource and are allowed to be hunted when their pelts are most valuable. Incidentally, pelts must be tagged and reported.

In response to a Board member question, Conlee reported that Massachusetts statutes allow property owners to remove an animal which is caught in the act of causing damage, such as to their livestock. The landowner is required to submit a written report to DFW by the end of the year.

In conclusion, Conlee recommended that the Board not change the coyote season length, not change the current hunting hours, and make no changes to the use of implements or equipment. Any such changes would require a statutory change. *****
On October 19, pre-school educators are invited to a fun, practical hands-on 6-hour workshop, entitled Growing Up WILD, that focuses on early childhood education. The Guide is correlated to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Standards and the Head Start Domains. Workshop participants will receive a copy of the Growing Up WILD guide and a certificate of completion. Project WILD is sponsored by DFW and the Massachusetts Wildlife Federation. Pre-registration is required, fee is $30. Registration deadline is October 9. To register contact Gayle Tardif-Raser at MassAudubon’s Pleasant Valley Sanctuary at gtraser@massaudubon.org or call (413) 637-0320 or register online at www.mass.audubon.org/pleasantvalley (click on Program Catalog).

Do coyotes significantly affect our deer herd?

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In last week’s column, I reported that David Stainbrook, Mass Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Director of the Deer and Moose Project and Dr. Robert Deblinger, Deputy Director of DFW gave a presentation at the Lee Sportsmen’s Association dealing with the deer herd in Massachusetts. This column will address what they had to say regarding the predation of the deer herd.

According to studies, 30 – 50% of the fawns die each year from various causes (diseases, predators, vehicles, not genetically fit, etc). It is estimated that 20 – 35% are killed by predators (bobcats, bears, coyotes, etc) and is the main cause of fawn mortality. It is estimated that coyotes take about 25% of all fawns born. They are most successful with 2 to 3 week old fawns because they become of age when they get a little bit of scent. After that, it is not really worth it for the coyotes to try to run them down.

Yet, the deer population continues to grow because the doe’s survival is so high that it continues to produce fawns every year. Stainbrook said that Massachusetts’ numbers are quite normal.
DFW does not believe predators have a significant population level effect, otherwise, they would see it in their harvest indicator figures. The population would be coming down, but they haven’t seen that. If they did, Stainbrook said they would manage it.

In the northeast there is a narrow window for birthing. The rut needs to happen in a narrow window so that birthing occurs in a narrow window. This is good for the deer populations because it basically overloads the predators and they cannot catch them all. While they are eating some fawns the others mature to the point where they can escape. After about 6 to 8 weeks, fawn predation significantly drops. If there is a late birth, the fawns are less fit and less likely to survive the winter. If a fawn is born early, she could breed in her first year and she may not know where to go for the best cover, etc.

According to Deblinger, we cannot control our coyote population. All around us other states have year round seasons and they are not controlling their populations either. The more you shoot, the more you get. When there are really high coyote populations, the litter rates are very low. That’s because when coyote densities get high, the females have smaller litters. When the densities are low, the litters get as high as 10 or 11 young. He said that there is not a state in the country that manages its coyote populations; not by hunting or any other predator control method.

The studies indicated that black bear do not really target fawns but rather opportunistically take them. They are most successful with really young fawns, within a week or two because they can outrun and catch them.

Other bits of information: The typical range of bucks in areas like western Mass is around 3 square miles, does somewhat less. In the eastern part of the state, the area is smaller, typically 1 mile. During the rut, they will travel a little further. The 1 to 1 ½ old bucks experience dispersal so that they don’t breed their own relatives.

Deblinger stated that the deer density goals in our area (15 – 18 per square mile) are the highest in the state.

Statistics show that only one in ten hunters who receive an antlerless permit actually is successful in bagging a doe.

No Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been detected in our deer. In addition to NY, it has now been discovered in PA. All deer meat entering MA from other states which have CWD must be de-boned.

It was an excellent presentation and unfortunately space does not permit mentioning other information that was provided. After the presentation, there was a lively Q&A session. There were several experienced hunters that insisted that there are not the numbers of deer in Zones 1 -3 as there used to be. In the 1980’s and 1990’s they saw a lot more deer and they had videos to prove it. The deer are just not out there, they claim. That’s their opinion and they are sticking with it, regardless of the models, studies or statistics. *****.

Incidentally, there are more antlerless deer permits available in Wildlife Management Zones 10, 11, 13 and 14. Once on sale, the permits will remain available until sold out in each Zone. To avoid the confusion experienced last year, the sales will be staggered as follows: Zone 11 permits go on sale Tuesday, October 1, Zone 10 – Wednesday October 2 and Zones 13 and 14 Thursday, October 3. Sales begin at 8:00 AM and can be purchased on line or from any DFW District Headquarters. *****

Since 1972, the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife has offered the opportunity for paraplegic sportsmen and sportswomen to hunt deer in several locations across the state during a special three-day season. This year’s hunt dates are October 31 – November 2, 2013. Locations will include Devens (Harvard/Lancaster), Quabbin Reservation (Belchertown), two properties in northern and southern Berkshire County, and Otis/Edwards Military Reservation (Falmouth). Licensed paraplegic hunters who have an interest in participating in this hunt should contact Trina Moruzzi at (508) 389-6318 or email Trina.Moruzzi@state.ma.us for more detail. *****

The Lenox Sportsmen’s Club, Cheshire Rod and Gun and perhaps other local clubs have started their Sunday turkey shoots which will probably run until the week before Thanksgiving. Check with your favorite club for details.

Next Saturday and Sunday the Berkshire Beagle Club will be having its Small Pack Option field trials. If you want to hear some good beagles working, you might want to stop by. They have a decent raffle going on, too.

Status of Massachusetts deer herd discussed

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Recently, David Stainbrook, Mass Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Director of the Deer and Moose Project and Dr. Robert Deblinger, Deputy Director of DFW gave a presentation at the Lee Sportsmen’s Association dealing with the deer herd in Massachusetts. Deblinger introduced Stainbrook as an “incredible scientist” who is a population dynamics modeler. This truly is rocket science, he said, and asked Stainbrook to explain it to the attendees. “I am really proud of the Massachusetts deer management program”, said Deblinger.
Stainbrook discussed the surveys which were sent out to some 32,304 hunters with e-mail addresses. Close to 9,000 deer hunters responded The survey sought information such as: town in which hunter live and hunted, the hunter’s age, how many hours spent hunting, how many deer seen in each zone, and other information. (Interestingly, about 10% of hunting license buyers do not hunt.) Deer sighting rates from these surveys were then compared to the deer density estimates which were based on deer harvest numbers
Broken down by season, about 53 hours were spent per hunter in archery, 38 in shotgun, and 30 in primitive arms. So an average hunter that hunted all three seasons would spend over 100 hours hunting (if the survey responses were representative).

In zones 1-3, deer sighting rates were higher than in zones 4N and 5, which were the lowest in the state. But one also has to consider differences in hunter density across the state. In the east, there are a lot more hunters per unit of huntable land and high deer densities because of access issues, so obviously deer sightings per hour hunted are higher than in western and central MA.

The model evaluates the range of effort. In areas like zone 7, there are more hunters per square mile so they expect more effort, vs zone 4N or 2 where there are fewer hunters per square mile. This range of effort affects harvest/success rates and therefore total harvest. Don’t be swayed by deer harvest numbers. For example, a reduction in the numbers of antlerless permits should cause a decrease in the overall deer harvest. That just makes sense.

The key indicator to watch is the trend in the number of adult bucks harvested (as long as hunter effort remains constant). They are not affected by the antlerless permits. In Zones 1 and 3, the goal is to have 15-18 deer per square mile and they are slightly on the lower end of that goal. MassWildlife is being conservative with the antlerless permits and they are trying to get the Western District numbers up gradually. The last thing they want to do is to raise the permits this year, lower them next year, etc., which is not good for the herd.
To make a long story short they are quite pleased with the make-up of the deer herd in Massachusetts. They have a good mix in terms of age categories. They have a good sampling and harvest system that supports their claim.
What can we hunters do to raise our deer density at a local scale? Improve the local habitat to be able to support more wildlife, including deer. Having only older aged forests are not necessarily good. A mixture of age classes with new, young forests do wonders for deer, in terms of year round food and cover. Selective cuttings are needed to get some light onto the ground.

We can also participate in the annual survey, the more information from hunters, the better they can manage the herd.
Their presentation was excellent. I went into the meeting with preconceived notions about our local deer herd, but when I saw the thoroughness of the information, studies, models and the “rocket science” being applied, I shut up and listened.
They also discussed deer predation which I hope to cover in next week’s column. *****
Thursday evening, local fishing guide Rex Channel from Allure Outfitters will be the guest speaker at the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited meeting at the Bass Water Grill in Cheshire. His presentation will be about fishing in Alaska on a budget. On his website, (http://www.allure-outfitters.net/index.html), Channel states that he has over 30 years of flyfishing experience. His presentation follows the social hour which runs from 5PM – 6PM. The event is free and open to the public. For those wishing to purchase a dinner, it begins at 7PM. For more information, contact Ron Wojcik at (413)684-4141 or rwojcik@bcn.net. *****
The public is encouraged to attend a site walk at the Maple Hill Wildlife Management Area in West Stockbridge this Tuesday at 10:00 AM. MassWildlife biologists will discuss and answer questions about planned management activities designed to enhance wildlife habitat as well as the recreational opportunities that arise from this work. Meet on Maple Hill Road (off of Rte 102) at the top of the hill. Look for signs. *****

Also this Tuesday, at 1:00 PM, the Fisheries and Wildlife Board will be meeting at the Western District Office on 88 Old Windsor Road, Dalton. Following that, a Public Hearing will be held at the same location at 3:00PM to establish and amend rules and regulations relative to the Artificial Propagation of Birds, Mammals, Reptiles, and Amphibians; the Exemption List; and the List of Domestic Animals. Call (508) 389-6300 for more information. *****
Twenty six anglers participated in the 26th annual crappie derby which was held by the Onota Fishing Club recently. The results are as follows: Carlos Shacar and Chris Porter took 1st place, Billy and Shane Rodgers took 2nd and Team Casavant took 3rd. The largest crappie was caught by Chris Porter weighing 2.25 lbs. (Qualifies for a State bronze pin). *****

New efforts underway to eradicate the sea lamprey

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Many local anglers who fish Lake Ontario, the Salmon River and its tributaries may find the following information interesting. Much of this information was provided by Spider Rybaak, an award-winning outdoor writer.

The invasive species responsible for wreaking more havoc on the Great Lakes fisheries than any other is the sea lamprey. But a new barrier/trap on Orwell Creek, a tributary of the Salmon River, promises to bring this parasite a giant step closer to eradication.
Native to the Atlantic Ocean, these eel-like critters originally invaded the Great Lakes and NY’s largest Finger Lakes in the 19th century via the Erie Canal. Armed with a round mouth filled with sharp teeth, they attach themselves to fish and suck out their body fluids. Authorities have been waging war on the parasites for over 50 years.
In the 1950s untreated discharges from industry and municipalities and the scourge of lampreys all but wiped out the open water species of the Great Lakes. Surviving smallmouth bass, walleyes, perch, lake and rainbow trout were few, sickly and scarred. Adding insult to injury, vast schools of alewives, marine exotics with a high tolerance for pollution, exploded because of the lack of predatory fish to control them. Each spring saw Lake Ontario’s shoreline littered with smelly, decomposing windrows of alewives.
Environmental awareness led to such dramatic improvements in water quality that folks began going to the beaches again. They complained of the stinking mess and the authorities began fighting the alewives by stocking voracious trout and salmon, and fighting the lampreys by spreading chemical pesticides specific to lampreys into natal streams during their spawning runs.
The programs worked, eliminating 90 percent of the lamprey population and reducing alewife populations to manageable levels but using chemicals to control lampreys is expensive and is not always popular. They went to physical barriers.
This June, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and the NY DEC officially opened the Orwell Brook Sea Lamprey Barrier. Orwell and Pekin brooks, tributaries to Lake Ontario’s Salmon River, produce tens of thousands of sea lamprey larvae annually, and this is the first sea lamprey barrier to be constructed for this purpose by New York State and its Great Lakes fishery partners.
How does it work? Lampreys can’t jump. The barrier/trap on Orwell Brook is adjustable. Its aluminum stop logs are removed after the lamprey spawning run, allowing desirable species access to the length of the brook. Come spring, the logs are replaced, blocking lampreys, but not leaping trout and Atlantic salmon. The sea lamprey trap will be operated by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff from mid-March through mid-July each year. To play it safe, the brook will be subject to chemical treatments every three years. *****
Totally wiping out sea lampreys in a lake almost 200 miles long by 50 miles wide is wishful thinking. But barriers like the one on Orwell Brook will reduce their numbers significantly, improving the health of trout and salmon and benefiting anglers and local economies. *****
According to David Scarpitti, MassWildlife Wild Turkey and Upland Game Project Leader, the spring turkey harvest this past year was about normal for the past several years, coming in at 2,778. The harvest has been between 2,757 and 2,858 over the past 5 years. In the Western District specifically, the harvest was “almost identical” to last year. (Last year’s total was approximately 535). In general, he said, the statewide harvest topped out about 5 years ago, and since has stabilized at that 2,700-2,800 level. *****

Hard to believe but the fall hunting seasons are upon us. The early black bear hunting season opens this Tuesday and runs through September 21. A permit is required and only one bear may be harvested. The bears must be checked in within 48 hours either by bringing it to an official check station or by reporting it online and writing the assigned confirmation number on the tag attached to the bear. Be sure to check the 2013 DFW Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Guide for more information regarding the regulations and on-line check in procedures.. *****

The gray squirrel hunting season in our zone opens on September 9 and runs to January 2, 2014. The daily bag limit is 5.

Did you know that the Mepps Fishing Lure Company still recycles squirrel tails? For over 50 years now. On its website http://www.mepps.com/programs/squirrel-tail, they say that they need your squirrel tails to create hand-tied dressed hooks that do a great job catching fish. They claim to have tried hundreds of other materials, both natural and synthetic and nothing else works as well. Mepps stresses that it is only interested in recycling tails taken from squirrels that have been harvested for the table. They do not advocate taking squirrels strictly for their tails

Most folks that send them squirrel tails double their value by trading them for Mepps lures. Hunters get an enjoyable day afield and a delicious stew. Then they send the part they used to throw away (tails) to Mepps to recycle and receive spinning lures in return. Not a bad deal. ***

The Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club will be holding a Firearm Safety Course on Sunday, September 15th. This course qualifies for both FID and LTC. Start time is 9:00 AM in the main hall and the course fee is $ 80.00. To register, contact Rob McDermott, 413-232-7700 or robmcdermott@verizon.net. .
The Lee Sportsmen’s Association will be hosting an NRA Personal Protection in the Home course on Monday, September 16 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM and on Sunday, September 22 from, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (both sessions are mandatory). Contact Larry K. at 413-442-7807 or email gramps@berkshire.rr.com

Western District antlerless deer permits down 375 from last year

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Antlerless Deer Permit Allocations and Chances of Winning

2013 Antlerless Deer Permit Allocations and Applications by Wildlife Management Zone
WMZ Allocation Change in Allocation #Applicants Chance of Winning
1 400 -50 1,173 34%
2 175 -25 1,478 12%
3 1,100 -150 2,294 48%
4N 375 -25 2,114 18%
4S 275 -25 1,647 17%
5 1,250 -100 3,451 36%
6 450 0 946 48%
7 2,250 0 3,404 66%
8 2,800 0 4,374 64%
9 4,100 0 4,589 89%
10 11,000 1,200 3,769 100%
11 10,500 700 6,653 100%
12 650 75 1,358 48%
13 2,700 0 119 100%
14 2,700 0 77 100%
TOTAL 40,725 1,600 37,446

“Change in Allocation” is the difference in the number of available permits from the previous year’s allocations. “Chance of winning” is calculated allocation/# of applicants

By now, most deer hunters know if they won an antlerless deer permit and more than a few of them are disappointed that they didn’t get one. Such permits have been dropping steadily over the last few years. For example some 9,550 permits were issued in the Western District in 2004, 4,400 in 2008 and this year, the figure stands at 2,325. Some hunters who rely on venison as a supplement to their food diet are quite upset saying: Great, more deer meat for the coyotes and bears and less for human consumption.

According to David Satinbrook, MassWildlife Director of Deer & Moose Project, “Deer densities in the western zones are currently below or on the lower end of our goals. Female deer are the reproductive segment of the population, so we manage deer numbers through regulated female harvest using antlerless deer permits. We have been giving out a low number of antlerless permits in those zones to allow the deer population to rise. Trends have been on the rise over recent years, but appeared to be just very slowly increasing, so we dropped permits conservatively to make sure the trends in density are still going in the right direction toward our goals.”

I suggested that they could get the deer populations up where they should be quicker by extending the coyote hunting season and allowing the bear hunters to take more than one bear a season. I am no expert but I believe these predators are the main reason for the sharp drop in our deer population, and not hunting pressure.

Satinbrook disagrees. While these predators do take a lot of fawns in the summer months, he feels that the deer herd is in good shape and the harvest figures do not indicate that it is in serious trouble by predation. He feels that the main limiting factor is the habitat and not the predators. Nature does not allow for more animals than the land can support.

Valid point, and he certainly knows more about this subject than I. *****

The Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club is hosting a Western Massachusetts Deer Camp on Saturday, September 21 at its club on Route 102, Stockbridge. Doors open at 5 PM, buffet dinner at 6:30 PM. There will be some awesome hunting, fishing and vacation packages in the raffle. They claim that 1 in 10 people will win a firearm. Tickets cost from $40 for an individual up to $250 for sponsors. Ticket deadline is Sept. 13 but if you purchase before Sept 1, you are entered for an early bird drawing. For information, contact Bill Bailey at (413)244-2304.*****

Twelve Massachusetts sportsmen’s clubs were recognized by the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) at the July meeting of the Mass. Fish & Wildlife Board. They were cited for their efforts in running the Youth Turkey Hunt program, teaching them how to safely hunt turkeys, getting youth mentors and actually taking the kids out on the hunts. They each received plaques from the NWTF and hearty thanks from the Board. Four of the clubs are in Berkshire County: Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club, Lee Sportsmen’s Association, East Mountain Sportsmen’s Club and Cheshire Rod & Gun Club. The Board also received a plaque of appreciation from the NWTF for its support of the Youth Turkey Hunt Program since it began 5 years ago..

Fish & Wildlife Board to Administration: Pay our managers

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When F&W Board Chairman George (Gige) Darey,of Lenox, began the July Board Public Meeting, he was “loaded for bear (pardon the pun). “I am beyond ticked off.” said Darey.

His anger was caused by the recent news that Assistant Director of Wildlife Dr. Thomas O’Shea resigned to take a higher paying job with the Trustees of Reservation. This news was not taken well by the other Board members nor the public that was in attendance, especially Massachusetts Sportsmen’ Council President Mike Moss, who made some audible remarks.

Dr. O’Shea was a highly regarded wildlife biologist who was well known across the state including here in the Berkshires. He oversaw habitat projects, game populations, the new licensing and game check systems, and pheasant stocking programs, among other things. He came out to the Berkshires to make several presentations over the years. He was a bright young biologist, one that the F&W Board invested heavily in training. Quite possibly, he could have become a future director of the Division some day.

According to Darey, “The medium raise in the last 10 years for management positions has been the cost of living raises. This for the best science based fish and wildlife expertise in the country.” The Board hires the staff but does not have the power to adjust their salaries. “This Board is extremely frustrated and ashamed that it has to spend so much time on salaries just to maintain the quality of staff instead of dealing with other important issues.

Board member Dr. Joseph Larson also weighed in by saying that such matters have to be handled at a higher level. “The F&W Board does not have the power to change or to adjust salaries. That comes down from above. The (Fish and Game) Commissioner and Secretary (Environmental and Energy) need to be putting full time on issues like this. This agency has a serious problem, this has got to be handled by higher levels of the Administration.”

According to DFW Director Wayne MacCallum, “Massachusetts is the 3rd most expensive state to live in and the DFW headquarters is located in the eastern part. On top of that the DFW is not competitive with its sister agencies. The DFW managers have been stuck in the same positions since 2003 and all step increases were eliminated. The union employees; however, did get raises every year as well as cost of living (COL) raises. The average raise to a manager in the DFW has been equal to the COL. Managers not only have not kept up with the COL, but in those years with no raises at all, they have fallen below.

He went on and said, “The Assistant Director position deals with a lot of people: sportsmen, non-profits and citizens throughout the state. Nobody is looking to get rich (in DFW) because they won’t, but wildlife conservation is a huge motivation. The F&W Board has always supported the scientists and biologists. We have the best science based program in the country for deer.”

Until the position is filled, O’Shea’s workload will be handled by Division Director MacCallum and Rob Deblinger, Deputy Director of field operations.

Fish & Game Commissioner Mary Griffin (who was present at the Board Meeting) agreed with the characterization of the “huge loss” of Tom. “At first I became very angry and then very sad, not toward Tom but because we have basically been trying for the last 4 years to have his salary adjusted or a salary reclassification of his job”. She said that she was “incredibly frustrated” losing Tom who attended Harvard and Yale and who was very well liked. “We are facing compression issues, she said, and I am glad the Board is looking at it, for it needs to be addressed.”

There is a new campaign to inform the public about the importance of hunting, fishing, wildlife watching and boating to our economy. Sportsmen and women, environmentalists and conservationists are spending over $2 billion annually in Massachusetts. That’s a significant contribution to its economy.

Also over the last 7 years some 40,000 acres of land has been acquired and more placed under conservation easements, all managed by the same number of people. One would think that those biologists, scientists and managers who oversee our natural resources would be better treated. It’s about time the administration woke up, don’t you think? *****

Tom Tyning, naturalist, author, and professor at Berkshire Community College, has developed a great news website, Western Mass Naturalist. Tom is an expert on snakes and the new site has lots of information about all the snakes found in western Massachusetts, including: how to identify species of snakes, what they eat and how they eat it, common myths about snakes, etc. You are encouraged to check the website often and watch it grow to include other groups besides snakes.*****

The Berkshire Beagle Club in Richmond held field trials last weekend. A couple of our local dogs did very well. Applewynd Mash-Po-Tater finished 3rd at the bench show for 15″ male dogs beating out 17 other entries. He finished 2nd on Sunday’s small pack option (SPO) trial (15″ all age combined) and was awarded the 15″ high scoring all age hound. Bob and Kim Jones of Lee are his owners. Chika finished 2nd in the bench show (15″ female class) beating out 11 other entries and 3rd in the 15″ all age SPO trial which drew 23 entries. She is owned by James Larimore of Pittsfield.

Congratulations to these owners whose dogs were up against some of the best dogs in the Northeast. The field trial drew 133 entrants from most New England states, Pennsylvania and New York.